A model answer
The answer that earns full marks, written for that exact question and the lines it points to.
How marking works
How does ThinkOtter mark comprehension answers?
ThinkOtter marks every open-ended answer in full, not just a tick or a cross. For each question it checks your child's response against the model answer, the exact evidence the answer needs, the paraphrases that still count as correct, the required answer format, and the marking rules for that question type. This is exam-style practice marking built on PSLE Paper 2 marking conventions, so instead of a lonely tick, your child sees which marks they won, which they missed, and why.
For every question
Five things ThinkOtter checks
Each question carries its own marking plan. Your child's answer is checked against all five.
The required evidence
The words or detail from the passage the answer must rest on, so a guess without support does not pass.
Accepted paraphrases
A list of correct answers in different words, so your child can answer in their own words and still be right.
The answer format
What the question asks for, such as one word, a phrase, a full sentence, or two separate points.
The mark allocation
How many marks the question is worth and what earns each one, just like a PSLE mark scheme.
Question-type rules
Each of the question types has its own marking logic, applied on top of the checks above.
Worked examples
Why did my child lose the mark when the answer looked close?
Comprehension marks often turn on small things: the exact evidence, all parts in the right order, the right word form, or a reason from the passage. Here is how ThinkOtter checks different PSLE comprehension answer types and explains the gap. ThinkOtter gives practice feedback modelled on PSLE Paper 2 marking conventions, so every question builds real exam technique.
Yes or No with evidence 2 marks
Question. Was the character curious about the objects in the box? Give evidence from the passage.
Child answer
"Yes."
Why it loses marks
"Yes" earns 1 mark, but the second mark needs a piece of evidence taken from the right lines.
How ThinkOtter guides
It asks the child to find the line that shows she was curious, without revealing it.
What you see
Model answer: "Yes. She leaned in, curious about each one in turn." Plus accepted wordings and the evidence gap.
Vocabulary in context, single word 1 mark
Question. Which word shows that the hinges had lost their original brightness?
Child answer
"old"
Why it loses marks
The word must carry the exact meaning on its own. "old" is close, but it does not mean "lost its shine".
How ThinkOtter guides
It points to the line about the hinges and asks which single word means "lost its brightness".
What you see
Model answer: "tarnished", and why that one word stands alone.
Vocabulary, synonym table 3 marks
Question. Find words from the given lines that mean: common, softly, endured.
Child answer
"ordinary, gently, lasted"
Why it loses marks
Each row needs a real synonym taken from the given line range, one mark each. "lasted" is not in those lines.
How ThinkOtter guides
It sends the child back to those lines to find the word that means "endured".
What you see
Model answers: ordinary, gently, survived.
Sequence of events 1 mark, all or nothing
Question. Number these three events 1, 2 and 3 in the order they happened.
Child answer
A partial order, with two events swapped.
Why it loses marks
Ordering is all or nothing. The whole sequence must match the passage timeline to earn the mark.
How ThinkOtter guides
It asks which event the passage describes first, then second, then last.
What you see
The correct order, flagged as all or nothing.
True or False with a reason 1 mark each
Question. True or False: the box had always belonged to the grandmother. Give a reason.
Child answer
"False."
Why it loses marks
True or False on its own scores zero. The reason from the passage earns the mark.
How ThinkOtter guides
It asks the child for the line that proves the statement true or false.
What you see
The correct answer, False, with the required reason: it had belonged to her mother before her.
Who sees what
Your child works it out. You see the marking.
👧 What your child sees
- One question at a time, beside the passage.
- Staged guiding hints when an answer needs work.
- Not the model answer during the attempt. The tutor guides them back to the passage, with stronger support only when needed.
- Encouraging language, Pebbles and no "fail" messaging.
👩 What you see
- The model answer beside your child's answer, plus the guided conversation, for every question, so you know what the tutor was checking against.
- Marks, attempts and first-try results, question by question.
- Strengths and the question types to practise next.
What your child gets
Marking that shows its working
Every answer comes back with more than a number. Your child sees the reasoning behind each mark, in plain language, so practice turns into progress.
- Marks the meaning, not just the wordsSo your child's own phrasing still earns the mark.
- Shows the workingSo your child sees which marks they won, which they missed, and why.
- Built on PSLE Paper 2 marking conventionsSo the practice mirrors the real exam style.
- Always open to your reviewBecause the session report shows the model answer beside your child's answer and the guided conversation, you can check the marking yourself.
Marking questions
How marking works, answered
ThinkOtter marks every open-ended answer in full, not just a tick or a cross. For each question it checks your child's response against the model answer, the exact evidence the answer needs, the paraphrases that still count as correct, the required answer format, and the marking rules for that question type. This is exam-style practice marking built on PSLE Paper 2 marking conventions, so instead of a lonely tick, your child sees which marks they won, which they missed, and why.
Yes. Each question carries a list of accepted paraphrases, so an answer written in the child's own words is accepted as long as it carries the right meaning and evidence. A well-reasoned answer in your child's own words earns the mark.
Because some questions need the exact evidence, all parts in sequence, the right number or form of words, or a reason from the passage. The session report shows the model answer next to your child's answer, so you can see what was missing. See a sample parent report.
Every answer is checked in full against the complete marking for that question, not just marked right or wrong. That is why ThinkOtter can show your child which marks they won, which they missed, and the reasoning behind each one. It is exam-style practice marking built on PSLE Paper 2 marking conventions, and your child's work is always open for you to review.
See the marking on a real session.
See how ThinkOtter guides your child through the answer, then shows the model answer and practice feedback in the session report.
See how ThinkOtter worksWorks on any device · Built for Singapore's PSLE